Abd Allāh, and we asked him about the statement of Ibn al-Mubārak, who, when asked, “How do we know our Lord?” replied, “In the seventh heaven, upon His Throne, with a limit.” Ahmad said, “Just so: He rose over the Throne, with a limit.” We asked him, “What does Ibn al-Mubārak mean by ‘with a limit’?” He replied, “I do not know, but there is supporting evidence for this in the Quran in five places:

‘To Him good words ascend.’ [Fātir 10]

‘Do you feel secure from Him who is above the heaven?’ [al-Mulk 16]

‘The angels and the Spirit ascend to Him.’ [al-Maʿārij 4]

And He is upon the Throne, and His knowledge encompasses everything.”’”

Al-Khallāl said, “Muhammad ibn Alī al-Warrāq also informed us: Abū Bakr narrated to us: